While CD Projekt Red's initial trailer for "The Witcher 4" in 2024 garnered significant global attention, the reveal of protagonist Ciri's more mature appearance sparked criticism from some players. Extreme detractors even accused the studio of "DEI-fication" (diversity, equity, and inclusion), claiming the character was intentionally "uglified."
Now, Doug Cockle, the iconic voice actor behind "The Witcher" series protagonist Geralt of Rivia, has publicly addressed the "face model controversy" surrounding Ciri in "The Witcher 4."
Speaking in a video released by game studio Fall Damage, Cockle directly called the criticism of Ciri's mature appearance as "woke" "very stupid." He urged fans to read the original novels to grasp the character's depth and developmental potential.
"This is really stupid, it's not 'woke' at all!" Cockle stated. "Ciri is a cool character in 'The Witcher,' and now the development team has decided to focus the story on her, which I think is great! We can't always tell Geralt's story endlessly in every game; his journey already concluded in 'Blood and Wine.'"
Cockle further elaborated that the development team had already laid the groundwork for Ciri's expanded world and potential within "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt." However, with Geralt as the primary focus of that game's main quest, many of those details remained underdeveloped.
"Now it's time to tell Ciri's story," he asserted. "If you don't agree, then go read the novels!"
Addressing fan concerns, CD Projekt Narrative Director Philipp Weber previously emphasized that while the studio understands players' desire to continue as Geralt, Ciri's introduction from a creative standpoint offers more diverse character depth and gameplay opportunities.
Currently, "The Witcher 4" has no official title or release date. CD Projekt Red has only confirmed that the game will not launch before late 2026, positioning it as a flagship title for next-generation console platforms.